The annals of Scottish history reveal that Baithey was first used as a name by descendants of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Baithey family lived in the lands of Beath in Fife. The name is a topographic or local surname, which was given to a family who held a barony or lands, had houses, manors or estates in that area. The name could have also been derived from the Gaelic beith which means birch tree.

Baithey Early Origins

The surname Baithey was first found in Fife, at the Hill of Beath, a hill and a village in Fife, Scotland just outside Dunfermline and joined to Cowdenbeath. The village is best known as the location of the meeting of the Covenanters at which John Blackadder was one of the preachers in the summer of 1670. As of 1896, it had a population of about 1,300 people.

Baithey Spelling Variations

Baithey Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, there was no basic set of rules and scribes wrote according to sound. The correct spelling of Scottish names were further compromised after many haphazard translations from Gaelic to English and back. Spelling variations of the name Baithey include Beath, Beeth, Beith, Bait, Baith and others.

Baithey Early History

Baithey Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baithey research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1231 and 1696 are included under the topic Early Baithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baithey Early Notables (pre 1700)

Baithey Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Baithey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Scots left their country by the thousands to travel to Australia and North America. Desperate for freedom and an opportunity to fend for themselves, many paid huge fees and suffered under terrible conditions on long voyages. Still, for those who made the trip, freedom and opportunity awaited. In North America, many fought their old English oppressors in the American War of Independence. In recent years, Scottish heritage has been an increasingly important topic, as Clan societies and other organizations have renewed people's interest in their history. An examination of passenger and immigration lists shows many early settlers bearing the name of Baithey: Robert Beath who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1766; Henry and Robert Beath arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1830; Robert Beeth settled in Savannah, Georgia, in 1820.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

The Baithey Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Baithey Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.